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The winners of the University of KwaZulu-Natal/Independent Newspapers isiZulu/English Writing Competion have been announced. Khayelihle Mnguni won the prize for the best short story, Thandanani Mabaso won for the best poem and Khethiwe Agrineth Mkhize was the winner of the prize for the best essay.

The competition called for writing in isiZulu or a combination of isiZulu and English to promote bilingualism and the development of African languages. Gcina Mhlope, whose children’s books, including the isiZulu and isiXhosa audio books Umcelo Nezindaba Zase-Afrika and Umcelo Neentsomi Zase-Afrika, are published by UKZN Press, was one of the judges, along with Nakanjani Sibiya, Professor Otty Nxumalo, and Gugu Mazibuko.

The winners will each receive R10 000 in prize money and will be published in a collection by UKZN Press. The book, to be launched at next year’s Time of the Writer Festival, will also contain other outstanding contributions from the 353 entries received.

The winners of this year’s University of KwaZulu-Natal/Independent Newspapers isiZulu/English Writing Competition were announced at a lunch in Durban on Tuesday.

They were: Khayelihle Mnguni for the best short story; Thandanani Mabaso for the best poem; and Khethiwe Agrineth Mkhize for the best essay.